1G6 DECREASE VJF THE ALASKAN SEAL TIERD. 



I'ciiuti of slag- perceptible decrease noticed in tlie seal lienl at 



nation. 



the islands/ and in 188i} the decrease was 

 marked in the migrating- lierd as it passed np 

 along the American coast, both by the Indian 

 hunters aloni^- tlie coast ^ and by white seal 

 hunters at sea.'^ Since that time the decrease 

 has become more evident from year to year, both 

 at the rookeries * and in the waters of the Pacific 

 Ocean and Bering- Sea.'^ The Bering Sea Com- 

 missioners of both Great Britain and the United 

 States, in their joint report, affirm that a decrease 

 has taken place in the number of the seal herd ; ^ 

 so that the sim})le fact is accepted b}' both 

 . parties to this controversy^ But the time when 

 the seals commenced decreasing, the extent of 

 such decrease, and its cause are matters for con- 

 sideration. 

 On Prii.iiof isi- Tlic Amcricaii Bering Sea Commissioners, 

 after an exhaustive examination of the condition 

 of the rookeries, as to the evidence of their 

 former limits, and of individual witnesses Avho 

 luul observed tlie rookeries for several years, 



' » J. H. Moiilton, Vol. II, p. 71 ; M. C. Erslcine, Vol. II, p. 422; Anton 

 Melovodoff, A^ol. II, p. 139. 



'-AHrcd Irving', Vol. II, p. 387; l?ow:u'lui]>, Vol. II, p. 370; N. 

 Grognron; Vol. II. p. 231. 



3E. W. LitM.jolin, Vol. II, p. 1.57 ; A. IMrLenn, Vol. H, p. 137. 



M. H.l)oiiglu8S, Vol.11, p. 41!); M. C. Eiskino, Vol. II, p. 122; N. 

 Miiudivgin, Vol. II, p. 140. 



'"James KcniuMlv, Vol. II, ]). 440; Oliavlos Lutjons, Vol. II, p. 45i). 



"Joint Report of Bering Sea Counnissionors, jxis/, p. 305*. 



